Automatic switch.



No. 699,197. Patented May 6, I902.

F. S. LEWIS.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

(Application filed Feb. 26, 1902J (No Model.)

Q m: nonms PETERS 00.. PHOYD-LITHQ. wummrmu. mo.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK S. LEWIS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

AUTO MATIC sw rl-0H.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,197, dated May 6, 1902.

Application filed February 26, 1902. Serial No. 95,698. (No model.)

To all whom it mfcty concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK S. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic railwayswitches adapted to be operated by the contact of the flange of a wheel with the switchpoint.

The invention consists of the combination, with a main rail and pivoted switch-point, of a gu rd-rail interposed between the main rail and switch-point and a crank-shaft having a worm extending through a slot in the switchpoint.

The invention further consists of the novel construction and arrangement of the guardrail and the detail features hereinafter fully described and claimed, in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a plan view of a railway-switch embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail side elevation of the guard-rail.

The reference-numerals 1 and 2 designate the rails of the main track, 3 one rail of a siding, and 4 the pivoted switch-point.

5 designates a crank shaft, one end of which is supported in a bearing 6 of the rail 1, while its opposite end 7 is in the form of a worm and extends through a slot 8, formed in the switch-point. The crank 9 of the shaft extends through a loop or keeper 10, depending from a guard-rail 11, pivotal] y held at one end between the rail 1 and the switch-point I. The free end 12 of theguard-rail is oppositely beveled, as best shown in Fig. 2, to guide the passage of the wheels thereover.

The movement of the switch-point by the contact therewith of the wheel-flange oscillates the'crank-shaft' through the medium of the worm 7, and the connection of the crank 9 with the guard-rail serves to raise and lower the guardrail according .to the direction of movement of the switch-point.

While the construction is believed to be a practical embodiment of the invention, I

would have it understood that I reserve the right to make all such modifications and variations in the details as will not depart from the essential features of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim 1. In an automatic switch, the combination with a main rail, and a switch-point, of a crank-shaft extending through said rail and switch-point, and formed with a worm working through a slot in the switch-point, and a guard-rail interposed between the main rail and switch-point, and adapted to be raised and lowered by the movement of the crank-shaft.

2. In an automatic switch, the combination with a main rail, and a switch-point, of a crank-shaft extending through said rail and switch-point, and formed with a worm work ing through a slot in the switch-point, a bev eled guard-rail interposed between the main rail and switch-point, and having its free end oppositely beveled, and a connection between said crank-shaft and guard-rail to raise and lower the latter through the movement of the crank-shaft.

3. In an automatic switch, the combination with a main rail and a switch-point, of a crank-shaft extending through said rail and switch-point,xand formed with a worm working through a slot in the switch-point, a guardrail located between the main rail and switchpoint pivotally secured at one end and opposit'ely beveled on the upper surface of its free Witnesses:

H. S. BREUINGTON, ROBERT C. RHODES. 

